Congratulations!

Congratulations! That is the first thing you should hear. Whether this is your first baby, your last, or somewhere in between, we hope you are filled with joy about your upcoming bundle. Clubfoot does not need to define your child, and it also does not need to define your pregnancy. You can feel free to tell friends and family all about it, or you may choose not to mention it until after your baby is born. There is no right or wrong way to deal with an unexpected ultrasound diagnosis, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, afraid, upset, etc. It’s also okay not to feel any of those emotions. The important thing is, if you’re here on this website, that means you’re already doing something right: You’re arming yourself with research and knowledge. That will prove to be one of the most critical steps of this entire journey. The more you know about clubfoot, the better voice you can be for your child. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation among healthcare providers. You may find that in some cases, you know more about protocols and procedures than your child’s doctor does. It is critical for you to gather information so you will be able to spot red flags during treatment. This will enable you to be your child’s greatest advocate. It’s a big responsibility, but it’s what we do as parents. Through it all, you will not be alone. A very supportive clubfoot community is here to help and guide you every step of the way.

Here are the questions we asked our doctor before deciding who would treat our baby:GENERAL:

How many babies have you treated for clubfoot? Do you ever have to refer complex cases out to other physicians?

CASTING:

How early do you start casting?

How many casts are typically required?

We've read that a tenotomy is necessary 80% of the time - is that what you see in your practice?

Do you use local numbing cream for a tenotomy, or put the baby under anesthesia?

Who actually applies the casts – you, or a nurse/casting tech?

How often do your patients experience slipped casts? (IF IT'S OFTEN, THIS WOULD BE A RED FLAG)

Is someone from your office on call if there are any issues with the casts?

Is there a certain day you do casting appointments? How long do those appointments usually take (for figuring out time off work, etc.)?

B&B:

What kind of bar do you use (Ponseti or Dobbs)? Why?

Do you use Mitchell boots, or something else? Why?

How long do you have babies stay in 23-hour wear? What’s your protocol after that?